CBI today started probe against 24 companies and public officials in connection with alleged irregularities in coal block allocations between 1993 and 2004, including during the NDA regime.

AIR correspondent quoting official sources says that preliminary inquiry has been registered after Central Vigilance Commission, CVC referred the complaints. Coal Minister Shriprakash Jaiswal and seven Congress Members of Parliament has requested CVC for CBI probe in allocation of coal blocks during NDA rule as well.

AIR correspondent reports that the allocation of coal blocks to private companies for captive use started in 1993 when Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 was ammended with the objective of attracting private investments in specified end uses such as power, cement and steel because of growing economy.